Gazing out dully at the stroboscopic dazzle-and-dark of the subway tunnel lights streaking past, I felt the combined pain like an immense and oppressive weight thrusting down directly on my shoulders, so heavy that it somehow actually compressed my lungs and made my breath come in harsh erratic gasps.

William Styron -- Sophie’s Choice

There was a stroboscopic flash and a bang, and a lightning bolt whacked an olive tree.